Wednesday, January 20, 2016

{how to: contour}

Contouring used to be a total mystery to me... some people describe it like war paint. I've found that simplifying it really isn't that hard. It's all about knowing how to create shadows and highlights across your face (this varies with your face shape FYI). After 2 months of having this It Cosmetics Contour Palette I think I've finally gotten the hang of it!

I've got a step-by-step tutorial on which shades to use and where to use them below... Let me know if you have any contouring tips/tricks in the comments. I'd love to improve my makeup skills :)

1 // Use the darkest shade (2 shades darker than your skin tone) to carve out your cheekbones. Using the flat side of your brush sweep the color from the top corner of your ear following the bottom of your cheekbone stopping before you hit your smile lines. TIP: purse your lips to find the natural contour area (or smile awkwardly like me).

2 // Lightly swirl your brush in shade #2 (1 shade darker than your skin tone - this could be a bronzer). Apply color down the sides of the bridge of your nose, creating a shadow like effect. TIP: I also like to apply this shade to the tops of my cheekbones blending it with my blush.

3 // Using a light shade (#3) apply color around your hairline and jawline. In the summer I will probably not use this shade since it's so close to my skin tone, but right now I'm pretty pale... so I keep the shading around the edges of my face light.4 // The white powder is a matte highlighter but I like to use it under my eyes to help set my concealer. I focus on the outer edges of my eyes avoiding the area closest to my nose - you don't want a raccoon look and this helps widen your eyes!

5 // Using just the tip of your brush dip it in shade #5. This is the "illuminating" highlighter that you're probably familiar with. Apply lightly to the outside tops of your cheekbones (where shade #4 was just brushed on), bridge of your nose, cupids bow (to make your pout pop), center of your forehead, and chin. This is really the icing on the cake! TIP: a little goes a long way - you don't want to sparkle!

And just so you have a better visual of where I put the shades... I give you: my war paint! My last step is to lightly blend everything together with a big powder brush. This will help ease any harsh lines without erasing all of the work you just did. TIP: Go easy on the dark cheekbone contour lines and make sure color is blended down on to your neck!